Diamond-Styled Two-in-One Leggings

ABSTRACT

A leggings apparatus is shown. The leggings are configured to be worn by a user without the need for the user to wear an undergarment. As such, the apparatus is equipped with a first gusset layer and a second gusset layer disposed in a crotch area of the apparatus to provide security and comfort to the user without panty-lines. The first gusset layer is made of a cotton-based fiber fabric, and is preferably treated with an anti-bacterial coating. The second gusset layer is positioned atop the first gusset layer, and is made of the same fabric as the remainder of the leggings. The gusset layers are heat welded into a fixed position within the crotch area, and are equipped with flat seams which appear invisible. Seams are flat to ensure comfort, as well as to minimize the appearance of the seams of the crotch area of the apparatus.

This application is a non-provisional patent application of provisional patent application No. 62/458,090, filed on Feb. 13, 2017, and priority is claimed thereto.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparel apparatus configured to be worn on the legs of a user, and more specifically relates to a legging apparatus configured to be worn by a user without the use of a separate undergarment.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Leggings for women are known to be manufactured in a wide variety of styles, lengths, colors, and thicknesses. Primarily, most forms of leggings are engineered to be worn atop an undergarment such as underwear. Unfortunately, when such leggings are worn with underwear, often regardless of the type of underwear, the line of the underwear is often visible to others, commonly referred to as a ‘panty-line.’

The existence of a panty-line can be embarrassing for some women, whom would prefer to display a seamless posterior. Some women opt to refrain from wearing underwear to prevent the appearance of a panty-line, whereas others who are uncomfortable without panties choose slim underwear, such as thong or bikini shaped underwear. Unfortunately, even thin underwear such as these often can be seen as a panty-line through most forms of tight-fitting pants, jeggings, and leggings. Women that opt to refrain from wearing underwear run the risk of embarrassment from discharge or bodily fluids from contaminating the crotch portion of the leggings, as the gusset (if one is present at all) of conventional leggings is not designed to function as underwear. If there were leggings equipped with usable gussets which are designed for use without underwear, women could more comfortably and confidently wear leggings without underwear, eliminating the panty-line and ensuring security when worn.

Thus, there is a need for a legging apparatus which incorporates one or more gusset layers which are configured to be minimally visible from the exterior of the leggings, while providing maximum security and comfort to the wearer. Such an apparatus preferably includes two gusset layers disposed within the crotch of leggings which are securely affixed to the fabric of the leggings to provide the functionality of underwear without the bulk or panty-lines.

Few references have been found in the prior art that appear similar to the apparatus of the present invention. Unlike leggings found in the prior art, the present invention employs a well-thought out comfortable finish, as the inner layer welds to cover the front crotch seam to avoid bulk. This complicated and intricate construction creates a clean look that makes the inner layer look and act like a replacement of panties. Existing products have just one extra layer between the body and leggings and do not effectively replace panties.

Additionally, the shape of the gusset of the present invention is designed to achieve maximum security and be minimally visible when worn. Existing products found in the prior art have only a very small piece of fabric in between leggings and the body of the user, and offer no psychological feel that the crotch area is protected and comfortable.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a legging apparatus configured to be worn on the legs of an individual without an undergarment such as panties or underwear. Similar to conventional leggings, the apparatus is preferably configured to conform to the curves of the skin of the wearer, and therefore provides a snug fit. However, in contrast to conventional leggings, the apparatus of the present invention is configured to be worn comfortably and safely without the need for underwear.

The apparatus is equipped with a first gusset layer and a second gusset layer. The first gusset layer is fashioned of a breathable cotton-based fabric, which is preferably treated with an anti-bacterial coating. The first gusset layer is disposed closest to the skin of the user, and is preferably hypo-allergenic. The second gusset layer is disposed atop the first gusset layer, and is preferably made of the same fabric as that of the remainder of the leggings. The gussets are preferably heat welded into a fixed position within the crotch area of the leggings, which creates a flat seam to provide supreme comfort to the wearer, as well as to minimize the visibility of the gussets when worn.

As such, it should be understood that the goals of the present invention are to eliminate visible panty lines (VPLs) and achieve a streamlined look, remove the possibility of excess fabric caused by body movement when wearing panties underneath leggings, and to facilitate comfortable, sanitary, and safe usage of leggings without an undergarment, such that users have one garment instead of two. Combining the two garments (panties and leggings) can achieve greater comfort than two separate garments when using the apparatus of the present invention, especially considering the close/confined nature and relationship between the two garments.

The shape of the gussets is specifically designed to achieve both maximum security, as well as to be minimally visible. The construction and finish of the gussets of the present invention is specifically engineered to allow for flat finishing such that the user may wear the present invention without feeling seams in the crotch area, which also provides for an ‘invisible’ look, as well as comfort without the need to wear panties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:

FIG. 1 exhibits an exploded view of the present invention as seen from the front.

FIG. 2 displays a view of the crotch portion of the present invention, detailing the position and shape of the gusset of the present invention after assembly.

FIG. 3 depicts a view of the rear center of the present invention, detailing the lack of panty lines, and the gusset layering.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the appearance of the entirety of the present invention as seen from the front center.

FIG. 5 depicts a close-up view of the shape of the gusset layers of the present invention which facilitate the lack of visible panty lines.

FIG. 6 presents a flow chart depicting the manufacturing process of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as depicted from the front.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a garment apparatus configured to be worn on the legs of a user. The present invention generally comprises a pair of leggings (10), which are equipped with a first gusset layer (20) and a second gusset layer (30), each of which are disposed in a fixed location within a crotch area (70) of the leggings (10). The apparatus of the present invention, referenced as leggings (10), is equipped with a right legging sleeve (40), a left legging sleeve (50), a waist band (60), and the crotch area (70). A flat-locked inseam (80) is preferably present on the present invention, and serves to connect the front portion of the leggings (10) to the back portion of the leggings (10), as well as to connect and lock the first gusset layer (20) and the second gusset layer (30) together.

The novelty of the present invention lies in the first gusset layer (20) and second gusset layer (30), which are present within the crotch area (70) of the leggings (10). The first gusset layer (20) acts as an inner layer, and is disposed closest to the skin of the wearer. As such, the first gusset layer (20) is preferably fashioned out of a breathable cotton blend of fabric which is equipped with an anti-bacterial treatment. The second gusset layer (30), disposed atop the first gusset layer (20), and is preferably fashioned out of the same material as that of the left legging sleeve (50) and right legging sleeve (40) of the leggings (10).

The first gusset layer (20) and second gusset layer (30) are specifically shaped such that the present invention achieves both maximal security for the wearer, as well as minimal visibility. As such, the crotch area (70) of the present invention is preferably diamond shaped in order to achieve the ‘invisible’ look of standard leggings non-equipped with the enhanced gussets of the present invention. The diamond shape of the crotch area (70) should not be understood to mean an exactly angled quadrilateral diamond, but rather a rounded diamond-shape, as seen in FIG. 5. As shown, the first gusset layer (20) and second gusset layer (30) extend forward narrowly towards the front of the leggings (10), and also extends towards the rear of the leggings. The portion of the gusset layers that extends towards the rear is smaller than the portion that extends forward, and is wider than the portion that extends forward, as seen in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5.

The approximate size of the first gusset layer (20) and the second gusset layer (30), once heat welded into position, is approximately 4″-4¾″ in height by 4½″-5¾″ in width. These dimensions are provided for example use only. It should be understood that alternate embodiments of the present invention may be fashioned with a first gusset layer (20) and/or a second gusset layer (30) that are larger or smaller than these dimensions, depending on the overall size of the leggings (10).

Flat seam finishing ensures that the wearer will not feel the seams of the first gusset layer (20) or second gusset layer (30) of the present invention during use, which is in contrast to any leggings present on the market today. Heat welding is an effective technique and presently used mostly in high-end performance wear. Novelty of the present invention lies in in delivering the combination of heat welding with a layered gusset to achieve a clean finish for the leggings (10). It should be understood that the flat seams of the present invention, such as the flat-locked inseam are preferably trimmed to look better and feel more comfortable for the wearer.

The process of manufacturing the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 6, is preferably as follows:

-   -   1. The manufacturer crafts the right legging sleeve, left         legging sleeve, and waist band of the present invention from two         separate cloths, which are then cut to form the overall frame of         the leggings via a top half (front side) and bottom half (rear         side). (100)     -   2. The manufacturer cuts the requisite size of the first gusset         layer, and installs it into the crotch area of the leggings with         a flat finishing procedure to achieve seams that are flat, and         cannot be easily felt. This process is accomplished via the use         of heat welding the first gusset layer to the crotch area. (110)     -   3. Then, the second gusset layer is positioned over the first         gusset layer, and is preferably heat welded into place such that         the seams are invisible and flat within the crotch area in order         to ensure the wearer's comfort during use without underwear. The         second gusset layer is treated with an anti-bacterial treatment.         (120)     -   4. Once complete, the top half and bottom half are sewn together         with a stretchable seam, similar to conventional leggings. (130)     -   5. The leggings of the present invention are packaged and ready         to be worn by the user without an undergarment. The user remains         comfortable and confident in the security provided by the first         gusset layer and second gusset layer of the present invention.         (140)     -   6. The leggings of the present invention may be washed in a         conventional clothes washer after use to be worn again. (150)

It should be understood that the first gusset layer (20) and the second gusset layer (30) are fashioned of breathable, comfortable, hypo-allergenic material to provide the wearer with supreme comfort during use. A percentage of the fabric is envisioned to have elastic properties to aid comfort and flexibility of movement while wearing the present invention.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

We claim:
 1. A garment for legs of an individual comprising: leggings, said leggings having a crotch area; wherein said leggings have a front and a back; a first gusset layer, said first gusset layer disposed at said crotch area; a second gusset layer, said second gusset layer disposed atop said first gusset layer; wherein said first gusset layer extends from said front to said back of said leggings; and wherein said second gusset layer extends from said front to said back of said leggings. 